The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-11-10

case" and the condition of his patient.
was accurately indicated by the rise
and fall of his suavity. After few mo-
ments' talk. Mr.. Sterling said: 81
feared there was danger; but what a
sudden and singular prostration! What
can be the cause of it?'
'Humph! The cause? Tobacco!"
replied the doctor, savagely, bringing
his cane down upon the sidewalk with
a great thump, and glaring at Mr.. Ster-
ling.
Tobacco! tobaccop" repeated Mr..
Sterling. ''Why-how Il was not
aware
| 20, of course you were not 'awarer
Who ever is aware of mischief until it
IS done? But l rather think I would
Know 1t If there were twenty Five boys
IN my school who were smoking, led by
the example of one. The fact is, sir,
boys all over our country are learning,
almost before they are out of petticoats,
and long before they are out of short
trousers. a habit that makes them
sickly, idle, useless aud dissolute young
men-dissolute, sir; for have never
known, in all my practice, drinking
young man who was not user of to-
] bacco first. Some can stand tobacco
better than others, but have yet to
find one system whose action is not
rendered absolutely vicious by it. To
some organizations. strong, yet sensi-
tive-fine organizations like this young
fellow w's-itis-poison!-b the con-
stitution all up!''
The doctors emphasis was terrific.
''Poor Dick must be very low," thought
| MIR. Sterling. Then he said aloud: II
know that tobacco is injurious, doctor;
and regret its prevalent use. p (col-
oring)-'1 sometimes smoke cigar
myself"
'sIhen the sooner you stop smoking
a cigar yourself, growled the doctor,
'the better for you and for others
through your example, sir"
Mr.. Sterling colored more deeply; but
he was a very honest man. "You mean
well, DOCTOR said he, '.and I will
STOP"
We'll, you mean we'll, too" returned
the doctor, with his low smile, and they
parted very amicably.
Four months before Gordon could be
rowed by Charlie in the new boat on
the old, dear lake! In the rich sun
shine of an autumn day they foated
along the softly-curving shore, under
branches of crimson and gold, past the
sumach trees and the thorn-apple
bushes, and the woods where the yellow
mandrakes were hanging.
Il guess" said Gordon, in a very
faint voice, from his bank of pillows in
the stern. and with very faint smile,
II guess shall pull through, Ham,"
''Why, Of course you WILL" replied
Charlie, briskly, and his voice seemed
to both of them to have the volume OF
a small cataract. ''Of course; told
you you would. Why, you are getting
fat.'
Gordon passed his hand over the
hollows in his cheeks, with another
smile, and continued: "You know what
the doctor said made me sick
Charlie nodded.
'Broke my nervous system all up.
Well. ! know those high SCHOOL fellows
got to smoking because smoked-little
ones. some of them-and I've planned,
when l get well and go back there,
to start club, called the Anti Tobacco
Club, and get 'em all in it. I can do
that much"
''Good!'' cried Charlie, dropping his
oars to applaud; land you cam ap-
pear before the werld, and make
speeches in the character of the .re-
formed smoker"
In time the club was formed. It met
every week in a room hired and furn-
ished by the parents of the members;
and there they played games, and read
aloud (more tobacco literature in their
first enthusiasm than afterward) and
discussed subjects. and finally wrote
''articles. J" 1t grew and fourished;
and to-day, though the illustrious
founder and his friend, the first presi.
dent, are in college, it is considered an
honor for any boy to belong to that
club.-Florence b. Weld, in N. Y.
Examiner.